Australia made a positive start as they moved to 276 for nine on the second day of the first Test against South Africa at Sahara Park Newlands in Cape Town today

South Africa would’ve liked to see the back of the last Australian batsmen earlier today, but with an impressive partnership between Michael Clarke and Peter Siddle of 59 runs, their hopes were delayed.

Morkel managed to pick up Siddle’s wicket and not long afterwards, the now in-form Steyn bowled a beauty to knock out Michael Clarke’s off-stump, leaving the Aussies with a respectable total of 284. This left Steyn just short of what would’ve been his 17th fifth-wicket haul in Test cricket. Asked about his improved form after a less than impressive show in the one-days, he said, “My intensity changed. If I’m brutally honest, my intensity wasn’t there as much in the one-dayers — not that I wasn’t looking for it during the ODIs, I’m always looking for it”.

Michael Clarke was the rock of the Australian innings, clocking up 151 runs off only 176 balls. The only other worthy contribution came from Shaun Marsh (44 runs) before Steyn caught him leg before.

South Africa’s Jacques Rudolph and Graeme Smith now walk out to bat with the momentum slightly against them.